Finnish Heritage Museum
Meet V&V
The Finnish Heritage Museum's virtual Finnish-American ambassadors.
Vappu and Veso are interactive digital guides created to help visitors explore Finnish-American heritage in a welcoming, educational, and memorable way. Through storytelling, technology, and cultural learning, V&V helps connect the past, present, and future of Finnish-American identity.
Initiative
The V&V Project
The V&V Project is an initiative of the Finnish Heritage Museum designed to bring Finnish-American history to life through digital storytelling, artificial intelligence, education, and interactive museum experiences.
V&V are more than mascots. They are virtual docents, storytellers, and cultural ambassadors who help visitors begin their journey into Finnish heritage. Whether someone is researching family roots, learning their first Finnish word, exploring traditions like sauna and sisu, or planning a visit to the museum, V&V offer a friendly first step.
Characters
Who Are V&V?
Vappu and Veso are cheerful guides with Finnish-American roots. They are curious, welcoming, and proud to help people discover the stories, traditions, and values that shaped Finnish-American life.
As digital ambassadors, V&V introduce visitors to Finnish immigration history, cultural traditions, Finnish language basics, folklore, genealogy, and the museum's collections. Their purpose is to make heritage learning approachable for all generations.
Friendly Guide
Welcome visitors of all ages into Finnish-American history.
Digital Docent
Help explain cultural topics, traditions, and museum resources.
Storyteller
Share Finnish and Finnish-American stories in a warm, accessible way.
Bridge Between Generations
Connect family history, community memory, and future learning.
Vision
Project Scope
Website AI Guide
An 'Ask V&V' chat experience allows visitors to ask questions about Finnish-American history, Finnish traditions, genealogy, language, events, and museum resources.
Museum Experience
Future phases may include touchscreen displays, exhibit prompts, children's learning activities, QR-code experiences, and interactive digital interpretation inside the museum.
Social & Digital Outreach
Vappu will support social media storytelling through educational posts, short videos, Finnish words, genealogy tips, artifact highlights, and museum event promotion.
Brand & Educational Materials
The project may grow to include Vappu-themed learning tools, museum merchandise, children's materials, stickers, postcards, and other mission-supporting items.
Roadmap
How the Project Will Grow
Phase One
Foundation
Character identities, story development, visual direction, website page, and project overview.
Phase Two
Digital Pilot
Launch the 'Ask V&V' website chat experience and test visitor engagement.
Phase Three
Museum Integration
Explore interactive kiosks, touchscreen exhibits, QR prompts, and educational visitor experiences.
Phase Four
Outreach & Support
Expand social media content, educational materials, donor support, partnerships, and future Vappuverse concepts.
Interactive
Ask V&V
Have a question about Finnish-American heritage? Start here.
V&V are here to help visitors begin exploring Finnish-American history, culture, traditions, language, genealogy, and the Finnish Heritage Museum.
V&V
Finnish Heritage Museum · Virtual Ambassadors
V&V are AI-powered guides. Responses are educational and family-friendly.
Get Involved
Help Bring V&V to Life
The V&V Project is part of the Finnish Heritage Museum's commitment to preserving Finnish-American heritage for future generations. By supporting this project, you help expand educational access, engage younger audiences, and create new ways for visitors to connect with Finnish-American stories.
